3 week old on vacation...

lyndausvi

I have to give a side-eye to this couple who took their 3 week old on a corporate incentive trip and was upset that we would not allow him/her on our 8 hour to JVD.   The main reason is they could not get a birth certificate in time and we were NOT about to take an un-documented newborn across international boarders.   But a 3 week old on an 8 hour boat trip is not a good idea anyway.

 But really?  Who takes a 3 week old on vacation to the islands?

Now I *might* understand if it was a sibling's wedding, but a company incentive trip?  Yeah, no.

Am I the only one who thinks these people are nuts?

The husband still came, so mom was left on the beach all day.  I'm not sure it this was their first or not.  I'm sure that makes a difference because a 3rd time mom tends to be more relaxed then a 1st time mom.   But still.

eta.

aragx6

I'd have to side eye that too. That is really soon to have a baby out and about.

laurenclaire1386

Dude, if your kid is so new that you don't have the birth certificate back yet, maybe international travel isn't the best idea.

nurse.misty

Ummm that just sounds crazy to me. I feel bad that my nephew will be a little over 3 weeks when my sister comes with him for my wedding. I can't imagine her being willing to get on a boat with him.

Edit: Me and sis only live an hour apart so it's not a really long trip she's taking to make it either.

Bubbalub

I would think that I wouldn't feel up to much travel with a baby that young. Plus taking them into a resort area where there are tons of people and who knows what sickness going around (like colds or the flu or whatever). I certainly wouldn't think to bring a newborn to the beach for the day. That just seems like a recipe for sun exposure.

Of course I am not a parent yet so take all that with a grain of salt!

GeauxTigers17

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_3-week-old-vacation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:c59dbcc7-49db-47d7-ac38-1c38cab6738dPost:c3ebcd1e-6024-4ed8-83ae-42b4eb51b027">Re: 3 week old on vacation...</a>:
[QUOTE]Dude, if your kid is so new that you don't have the birth certificate back yet, maybe international travel isn't the best idea.
Posted by laurenclaire1386[/QUOTE]

<div>I have to agree with this assessment. I'm shocked she even wanted to go to the beach 3 weeks postpartum. I don't have children though, so maybe I just don't get it, but that seems really ambitious!</div>

neelynicole

Yeah, I'd totally side-eye that, too.

Also, when you have a 3 week old child, do you really want to be travelling like that?

*side note, I'm not a mother, so I have no idea, but I would think that at 3 weeks, you would still be a little tired and not up for something like that. Maybe I'm wrong.

lyndausvi

Yeah.. it was just weird altogether.

We have had a 4 week on the boat before.  The difference was they were locals and it was only a 1.5 hour sunset sail.  She just slept in her carrier.  She is now 3 and still comes on the boat.  They didn't started taking her on the 8 hour trips until she was a few months old.

annakb8

I can't even imagine how terrible it must be to have to cart a 3 week old baby through the airport. I think it would probably be a bit uncomfortable to travel 3 weeks post-partum.

kebmtm071605

I have a 4 week old, and he's my third kid.  No way in hell would I take him on an international vacation (um...how did they even get a passport?), nevermind an 8-hour boat trip (are there even life jackets that would fit a baby that size in case of emergency?).

My baby still goes everywhere with me because I nurse him exclusively, but  I do limit the places I go.

I try not to judge other people's parenting styles too much, but I would definitely judge that.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_3-week-old-vacation?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:c59dbcc7-49db-47d7-ac38-1c38cab6738dPost:f9932bdb-c9af-44a9-a108-76af58dd1de0">Re: 3 week old on vacation...</a>:
[QUOTE]I can't even imagine how terrible it must be to have to cart a 3 week old baby through the airport. I think it would probably be a bit uncomfortable to travel 3 weeks post-partum.
Posted by annakb8[/QUOTE]
Assuming they flew, think about how painful flying is on an infant's ears. They don't have the ability/understanding to swallow and mitigate the pain. I don't understand why parents do that to their children unless they're moving or going to a funeral or something.

lyndausvi

for the record coming to St Thomas is not considered international, but going to Jost Van Dyke where I trip was today is in the British Virgin Islands.  

There is no such thing as an approved USCG infant lifejacket.  They do not exist. 

ETA  - I should say for what we are required to have.  There are infant jackets.

RobotLegs

That seems pretty crazy.  My BFF is getting married in St. Lucia around when I'll have a 3 week old and there is no way in hell I'm going.

katiewhompus

People are crazy. There was a post on my month a while ago about taking a 2 week old baby on a 1 week long trip to Iceland (from the US). Apparently I was the only one who thought that wasn't a great idea.

specialk84

My friend had a baby at the end of March.  She's one of those super-fit, very healthy ladies, and she seems to be recovering quickly.  No way, however, would she take her kid on an 8-hour boat ride.  Driving three hours to visit her parents was like torture for her.

Ciaram22

There is no way I will be taking my 3 week old anywhere other than local trips. DH wants to go visit his grandma before he goes back to work on the 24th, Edmund won't even be a month old yet. We would be driving 10 hours to his moms house then another 2 hours to his grandmas and then back home. We'll see.

Bubbalub

Omg Ciara, look at you and the wee Edmund! Adorable!

specialk84

Ciara, he's so cute!

banana468

No way would I have taken DD with me on vacation. At 3 weeks post partim, I didn't even want to leave my house for Christmas! I'd consider a trip now that she's 5mo but no effing way did I feel up to traveling or putting on a bathing suit at that point. I dont want to put on one thus summer!

Meg1036

Ciara, love the new sig pic!

leia1979

I've had friends who wouldn't even take their child out of the house until he or she was a month old. It's a cultural thing.

mica178

Ciara -- adorable new sig pic!  How are you managing at home?

I'd side-eye that mom too.  I just don't think an 8 hour optional boat trip with a 3 year old baby is a good idea.

AbbeyS2011

Awww Ciara - how precious!  Congrats - he is beautiful! 

When my youngest was 5 weeks old, my exH and I went on a 10 hour road trip to see my family and also work, but it was not fun at all.  Those parents are a bit nuts to be dragging out a newborn on a boat that early.